Monthly Archives: January 2013
The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia (July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967), soprano Maxine Angelyn “Maxene” (January 3, 1916 – October 21, 1995), and mezzo-soprano Patricia Marie “Patty” Andrews (February 16, 1918 – January 30, 2013). Throughout their long career, the sisters sold well over 75 million records (the last official count released by MCA Records in the mid-1970s). Their 1941 hit “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” can be considered an early example of rhythm and blues or jump blues.
The Andrews Sisters’ harmonies and songs are still influential today, and have been covered by entertainers such as Bette Midler, The Puppini Sisters, Christina Aguilera, and The Three Belles.
Patty Andrews died of natural causes at her home in Northridge, California on January 30, 2013, just 17 days before her 95th birthday. Walter Wechsler, her husband of 60 years, died on August 28, 2010, at the age of 88. Patty and Walter were parents to foster daughter Pam Dubois. The sisters were interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California, close to their parents.
Read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andrews_Sisters
GRAMMY FOUNDATION®‘S 15TH ANNUAL MUSIC PRESERVATION PROJECT, PRESENTED BY SEAGATE®
Prestigious GRAMMY® Week Event Highlights GRAMMY Foundation’s Ongoing Work To Safeguard Music’s History
The GRAMMY Foundation® will host “Play It Forward: A Celebration Of Music’s Evolution And Influencers” — the 15th Annual GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project — featuring live musical performances and archival footage from its preservation archives. Performers include GRAMMY® winners Yolanda Adams, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, LeAnn Rimes, and Dionne Warwick; GRAMMY winner and current nominee Lupe Fiasco; Current GRAMMY nominee Ed Sheeran; Mike Einziger ofIncubus, singer/songwriter Lianne La Havas, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, violinist Ann Marie Simpson, multi-platinum recording artist Guy Sebastian, and George Thorogood And The Destroyers, as well as other artists to be announced shortly. The evening’s musical director will be Darrell Brown, songwriter/producer, Recording Academy Trustee, and GRAMMY Foundation Board member. Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation, will be in attendance, along with other prominent music industry leaders and members of The Recording Academy.
WHAT:
“Play It Forward: A Celebration Of Music’s Evolution And Influencers” — this year’s GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project — will explore the history of legendary influencers in music and the invaluable contributions of those key players, the music they inspired and their impact on the American cultural landscape. This GRAMMY Week celebration promotes the GRAMMY Foundation’s mission of recognizing and preserving our musical past, so that future generations can continue to benefit from an appreciation and understanding of those contributions. General admission tickets are $35 per person and premium seating is $45. For tickets and information, visit www.grammyfoundation.org orhttp://wl.flavorus.com/sabantheatre/PlayItForward, or contact 855.235.2867. “Play It Forward” is sponsored in part by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, CenterStaging, the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Getty Images Music and Jackson Limousine.
WHERE:
Saban Theatre
8440 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013
5:15 p.m. Media Check-in (Note: Please arrive promptly. Media using mult-box will
be able to plug in decks prior to carpet opening.)
6:15–7:15 p.m. Red-Carpet Arrivals
7:30–9 p.m. Guest Speakers and Performances
9 p.m. Reception
WHY:
Protecting our cultural legacy for future generations is a cornerstone of the GRAMMY Foundation mission. The Foundation recognizes and celebrates the innovation, perseverance and genius evidenced in the stories and music of the pioneers who have woven a rich and colorful cultural fabric. The GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project highlights its year-round activities in support of that mission, from preservation grants to its Living Histories archive. The Project also draws the attention of a wider audience to those efforts, and to the imperiled condition of many of the most historically significant recordings. This concert and screening serves to reintroduce works from these major contributors to the public and educates them about the GRAMMY Foundation’s role in preserving our rich cultural heritage.
MEDIA R.S.V.P. MANDATORY:
Christina Cassidy/The GRAMMY Foundation/310.392.3777/christina.cassidy@grammy.com
Hannah Berryman/The GRAMMY Foundation/310.392.3777/hannah.berryman@grammy.com
Joe Schneider/Rogers & Cowan/310.854.8140/jschneider@rogersandcowan.com
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you are interested in covering this event, you MUST request credentials no later than Friday, Feb. 1. Credentials will be picked up at media check-in on the day of the event. ALL MEDIA MUST BE CREDENTIALED. ALL MEDIA MUST BRING PHOTO I.D. All satellite truck/van parking must be coordinated no later than Friday, Feb. 1.
NOTE: To plug in to a mult-box, media must bring a female XLR cable with a deck. If you cannot accept a line-level feed, also bring an in-line mic-to-line adaptor. Media using mult-box will be able to plug in decks prior to carpet opening.
The GRAMMY Foundation® was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy®, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyfoundation.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, please follow the GRAMMY Foundation on Twitter @GRAMMYFdn atwww.twitter.com/GRAMMYFdn.
About Seagate:
From creating Hollywood blockbuster movies and the music that’s the soundtrack of people’s lives, to sharing photos and videos on social networks, Seagate storage devices are an integral part of modern life. Seagate is a worldwide leader in hard disk drives and storage solutions. Learn, discuss, and share the creative process at Facebook.com/SeagateCreative.
LADY ANTEBELLUM, WILLIE NELSON AND FAMILY, TRACE ADKINS, HUNTER HAYES, AND MORE ANNOUNCED AS INAUGURAL TASTE OF COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL PERFORMERS
more are available online.
The Taste of Country Music Festival will be held the weekend following the ninth annual Mountain Jam Music Festival that is scheduled for June 6-9, 2013. Mountain Jam is one of the top music festivals in the country and will feature Phil Lesh & Friends, Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule, Primus, Dispatch, The Avett Brothers and more. Additional information can be found on www.MountainJam.com.
also the sister company of Radio Woodstock.
RANDY HOUSER’S NEW ALBUM HOW COUNTRY FEELS NOW AVAILABLE
cred writing, “Nashville’s country music insiders have known for some time that Randy Houser is one of the finest male vocalists the community has ever welcomed.”Prescription Bluegrass CD Review–The Hillbenders
THE HILLBENDERS – CAN YOU HEAR ME
Label: Compass Records
Released: September 2012
By: W.J. Hallock
One of the definitions of “Symbiosis” is: “A close, prolonged association between two or more different species that is mutually beneficial to each member.” Yep….. that sounds like THE HILLBENDERS to me! “SYMBIOTIC!” Chad “Gravy Boat” Graves’ screamin’ dobro benefits from Mark Cassidy’s high wattage, parallel banjo licks, while Mark’s banjo benefits from Nolan Lawrence’s hot and tasty mandolin chops. Nolan’s mandolin benefits from Jim Rea’s enthusiastic guitar, just like Jim’s guitar benefits from his cousin, Gary Rea’s thunder storm driven upright bass, and Gary’s bass, in turn, churns right back around under the current of Chad’s dobro. Around and around they go, five different “Species” of instruments bouncing in and out of each other‘s space for their mutual benefit! Simply put, this band is so tight they probably all breathe in unison!
There’s a very amazing thing that happens when a band becomes this close….. unless the listener is really paying attention, it can be hard to tell exactly which instrument is playing when! The pickup notes from the banjo over riding the end of a dobro line can be so fast and precise that you can’t tell when one ends and the other begins. Even the tone of each instrument becomes similar….. the individual sounds of the dobro and the banjo together then almost make a third unique sound all it’s own! And when the guitar and bass are so rhythmically solid under the solos and the mandolin is playing right ON that off beat, that all powerful FEEL, that has to be earned, with years of practice and live performances, suddenly takes on a life of it’s own and you have….. MAGIC!
Read the rest of this review by clicking here: http://www.prescriptionbluegrassblog.com/2013/01/prescription-bluegrass-cd-reviewthe.html
L to R: U.S. Marine Corps E-3/Lance Corporal Christopher Allen, Strait, and Lieutenant General Leroy Sisco, U.S. Army (Retired)
Photo: Courtesy of Terry Calonge
Fans at the Sold-Out United Spirit Arena ‘Give Strait All They’ve Got’ on The Cowboy Rides Away Tour in Lubbock, Texas
Prescription Bluegrass CD Review–Jerry Douglas “Traveler”
Jerry Douglas – Traveler
Label: eOne Music
Released: October 2012
Reviewed by: Dan King
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the greatest Dobro player of all?
Faced with that query, most magic mirrors would probably respond by saying that Jerry Douglas has been, and is, the premier Dobro player of our time.
And who could argue?
As the featured soloist for the multi-Platinum, multi-Grammy, multi-(pick an award) Alison Krauss and Union Station, Jerry Douglas has consistently raised the bar for what passes as virtuosity on that instrument. Douglas has also ventured from his “Allison Wonderland” from time to time to tour and record with a deep and stunning Who’s Who of élite musical acts, solo performers, and singer/songwriters. Furthermore, his personal list of awards from the music industry could make the much decorated Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps blush from feelings of inadequacy.
Read the rest here: http://www.prescriptionbluegrassblog.com/2013/01/prescription-bluegrass-cd-reviewjerry.html#more
Gary Allan’s new CD, “Set You Free” will be releasing on Jan. 22, 2013. Tonight I got to preview the whole CD, and I liked what I heard. The only song I had heard before tonight was “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain). It’s on the radio, it’s a great song. We all know it, and I think we all love it. It’s the kind of music I’ve grown to expect from Gary Allan.
There were a few disappointments – at least for me. I wasn’t crazy about “Tough Goodbye”, and I didn’t really like “Bones” at all. I first became a Gary Allen fan when he released “Smoke Rings in the Dark.” It doesn’t matter how many songs he releases, or how many albums he puts out during the rest of his career, I’m sure “Smoke Rings” will always be my favorite. I’m not saying “Tough Goodbye” and “Bones” are bad songs. But I didn’t really feel like they were country songs, and they didn’t remind me of the reason I love Gary Allan. I may be the only one who thinks that – but that’s okay.
After I got through “Bones” I got to hear “It Ain’t The Whiskey” – this one I liked. Very prolific. And very Gary Allan. “It ain’t the whiskey, it ain’t the cigarettes that’s killing me, it ain’t the stuff I smoke, it’s all these things I can’t forget. And it ain’t the hard times, it ain’t the all nights, Well it ain’t that easy, it ain’t the whiskey that’s killing me….” Yep, that’s Gary Allan at his best. I think this is probably my favorite song on the new CD. I’ll be interested to know which one all of you like best.
“Sand in My Soul” is a little more up-tempo, but it’s still Gary. You listen to it, and you know know that it’s something he would have recorded. I think this one would do well as a single, too. It’s the one I found myself wanting to sing along with. He slows us back down with the number six song, “You Without Me.” I just want all of you to listen to this one – when I got this far in the CD, I started changing my mind about exactly which song on the new album really is my favorite. And deciding that I’m allowed to have more than one that I like best.
After I got through “Bones” I got to hear “It Ain’t The Whiskey” – this one I liked. Very prolific. And very Gary Allan. “It ain’t the whiskey, it ain’t the cigarettes that’s killing me, it ain’t the stuff I smoke, it’s all these things I can’t forget. And it ain’t the hard times, it ain’t the all nights, Well it ain’t that easy, it ain’t the whiskey that’s killing me….” Yep, that’s Gary Allan at his best. I think this is probably my favorite song on the new CD. I’ll be interested to know which one all of you like best.
“Sand in My Soul” is a little more up-tempo, but it’s still Gary. You listen to it, and you know know that it’s something he would have recorded. I think this one would do well as a single, too. It’s the one I found myself wanting to sing along with. He slows us back down with the number six song, “You Without Me.” I just want all of you to listen to this one – when I got this far in the CD, I started changing my mind about exactly which song on the new album really is my favorite. And deciding that I’m allowed to have more than one that I like best.
The song “One More Time” is one of those, grab you cup of coffee, gaze out the window, put your feet up…and remember. It’s one of those ‘look back at your whole life…the mistakes you made, things you might have done differently…’ I think this one definitely reminded me what kind of Gary Allan songs I like most – the slow ones. He has an incredible voice. And you can really hear his vocals in these slower songs.
I review a lot of CDs. Some I tell you a little about one or two songs, and then just rate the album over-all. And some, I tell you a little bit about every song – at least what I thought of every song, and why. And Gary has given me one of those challenges. One of those CDs that I just felt like I needed to tell you a little about every song. The ones I like the best, and the ones that didn’t do as much for me. I’m putting “Hungover Heart” right up there with the ones I like the most. It’s another song that if anyone else had sung it, you would be saying “Gary Allan should have had this one.”
Get ready to smile – here comes “No Worries.” That’s all I can say about it. It’s a cute song. “No Worries, I don’t have a single care today. Everything is going to go my way. No worries.” That about sums it up. I think you are all going to like this one as much as I do!
listened to “Drop” and the first thing I thought of was Harry Connick Jr. I don’t know why, but for some reason I could see that man sitting at the piano singing “Drop.” But I really liked the song. And I thought about some sneaky, cartoon character type detective lurking in the shadows chasing some cartoon criminal. Oh, don’t get me wrong – the lyrics are definitely NOT screaming ‘cartoon character detective”…it was just something about the melody that led me in that direction. But, I really do like the song.
“Pieces” is another faster one. But it’s another really good song. When I finish listening to a song for the first time, and find myself quoting lyrics, I know it was written with people in mind. People who are going to be able to relate to it for one reason or another. I think is probably my favorite of the aster songs on the album.
That brings us to “Good As New”. Gary slows it down for us with this final track. And I discover one thing about Gary Allan. When he sings, you listen. And you pay attention to what he’s saying. I think there are a lot of times when the lyrics just become part of the background noise. That’s not the case with Gary Allen. I’ve listen through the whole album three times. By the thiThere’s my opinion and here’s your track list. Now, put Jan. 22 on your calendar, because you are going to want to get this CD the minute it hits store shelves.
Tough Goodbye
Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)
Bones
It Ain’t The Whiskey
Sand In My Soul
You Without Me
One More Time
Hungover Heart
No Worries
Drop
Pieces
Good As New
Country (CountrysChatter.com)
NEWS RELEASE
SIMPSON, AND GEORGE THOROGOOD AND
THE DESTROYERS TO JOIN RODNEY CROWELL,
EMMYLOU HARRIS, LIANNE LA HAVAS AND
ED SHEERAN TO CELEBRATE
“PLAY IT FORWARD: A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC’S
EVOLUTION AND INFLUENCERS” AT
THE GRAMMY FOUNDATION®‘S 15TH ANNUAL
MUSIC PRESERVATION PROJECT,
PRESENTED BY SEAGATE®
Prestigious GRAMMY® Week Event Highlights GRAMMY Foundation’s
Ongoing Work To Safeguard Music’s History
The GRAMMY Foundation® will host “Play It Forward: A Celebration Of Music’s Evolution And Influencers” — the 15th Annual GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project — featuring live musical performances and archival footage from its preservation archives. Performers include GRAMMY® winners Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, and LeAnn Rimes; current GRAMMY nominee Ed Sheeran; Mike Einziger ofIncubus, singer/songwriter Lianne La Havas, violinist Ann Marie Simpson, and George Thorogood and the Destroyers, as well as other artists to be announced shortly. The evening’s musical director will be Darrell Brown, songwriter/producer, Recording Academy Trustee, and GRAMMY Foundation Board member. Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation, will be in attendance, along with other prominent music industry leaders and members of The Recording Academy.
WHAT:
“Play It Forward: A Celebration Of Music’s Evolution And Influencers” — this year’s GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project — will explore the history of legendary influencers in music and the invaluable contributions of those key players, the music they inspired and their impact on the American cultural landscape. This GRAMMY Week celebration promotes the GRAMMY Foundation’s mission of recognizing and preserving our musical past, so that future generations can continue to benefit from an appreciation and understanding of those contributions. General admission tickets are $35 per person and premium seating is $45. For tickets and information, visit www.grammyfoundation.org orhttp://wl.flavorus.com/sabantheatre/PlayItForward, or contact 855.235.2867. “Play It Forward” is sponsored in part by CenterStaging, the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, GettyImages Music and Jackson Limousine.
WHERE:
Saban Theatre
8440 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013
5:15 p.m. Media Check-in (Note: Please arrive promptly. Media using mult-box will
be able to plug in decks prior to carpet opening.)
6:15–7:15 p.m. Red-Carpet Arrivals
7:30–9 p.m. Guest Speakers and Performances
9 p.m. Reception
WHY:
Protecting our cultural legacy for future generations is a cornerstone of the GRAMMY Foundation mission. The Foundation recognizes and celebrates the innovation, perseverance and genius evidenced in the stories and music of the pioneers who have woven a rich and colorful cultural fabric. The GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project highlights its year-round activities in support of that mission, from preservation grants to its Living Histories archive. The Project also draws the attention of a wider audience to those efforts, and to the imperiled condition of many of the most historically significant recordings. This concert and screening serves to reintroduce works from these major contributors to the public and educates them about the GRAMMY Foundation’s role in preserving our rich cultural heritage.
MEDIA R.S.V.P. MANDATORY:
Christina Cassidy/The GRAMMY Foundation/310.392.3777/christina.cassidy@grammy.com
Hannah Berryman/The GRAMMY Foundation/310.392.3777/hannah.berryman@grammy.com
Joe Schneider/Rogers & Cowan/310.854.8140/jschneider@rogersandcowan.com
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you are interested in covering this event, you MUST request credentials no later than Friday, Feb. 1. Credentials will be picked up at media check-in on the day of the event. ALL MEDIA MUST BE CREDENTIALED. ALL MEDIA MUST BRING PHOTO I.D. All satellite truck/van parking must be coordinated no later than Friday, Feb. 1.
NOTE: To plug in to a mult-box, media must bring a female XLR cable with a deck. If you cannot accept a line-level feed, also bring an in-line mic-to-line adaptor. Media using mult-box will be able to plug in decks prior to carpet opening.
The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like “GRAMMY in the Schools” on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/grammyintheschools and follow @GRAMMYFdn on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/GRAMMYFdn.
About Seagate:
From creating Hollywood blockbuster movies and the music that’s the soundtrack of people’s lives, to sharing photos and videos on social networks, Seagate storage devices are an integral part of modern life. Seagate is a worldwide leader in hard disk drives and storage solutions. Learn, discuss, and share the creative process at Facebook.com/SeagateCreative.
NEWS RELEASE
22 TRACKS FEATURING A DIVERSE ARRAY
OF ARTISTS AND MEMORABLE SONGS
Album, Available Digitally and in Stores Jan. 22, 2013;
Gives Music Fans Two Chances to Attend Music’s Biggest Night®
The 19th edition of the best-selling collection includes many of the most widely recognized GRAMMY categories representing nominees for Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Album. The album is made possible by a special arrangement with all of the major music distribution companies and rotates labels from year to year. A portion of the proceeds from the album benefit the MusiCares Foundation®and the GRAMMY Foundation®— two charitable organizations established by The Recording Academy.
In conjunction with the 2013 GRAMMY Nominees album, Capitol Records and The Recording Academy will offer two opportunities to attend the annual GRAMMY Awards. First, when pre-ordering the 2013 GRAMMY Nominees album at www.grammy.com/2013grammyalbumby Jan. 21, music fans can enter to win a trip to the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 10, 2013. Additionally, providing another chance to win tickets to Music’s Biggest Night®, each 2013 GRAMMY Nominees album purchased in stores will include a special game piece featuring a unique entry code for the GRAMMY Ticket Game. To participate, the code must be entered at www.grammy.com/2013grammyalbum for the opportunity to win a trip for two to the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2014. The second-place winner will receive other official GRAMMY Awards merchandise.
The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held Sunday, Feb. 10 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, and will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
1. THE BLACK KEYS
“Lonely Boy”
Record Of The Year
Album Of The Year
Best Rock Performance
Best Rock Song
Best Rock Album
2. KELLY CLARKSON
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
Record Of The Year
Song Of The Year
Best Pop Solo Performance
Best Pop Vocal Album
3. TAYLOR SWIFT
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
Record Of The Year
4. GOTYE
“Somebody That I Used To Know”
(feat. Kimbra)
Record Of The Year
5. KATY PERRY
“Wide Awake”
Best Pop Solo Performance
6. FUN. FEAT. JANELLE MONÁE
“We Are Young”
Record Of The Year
Album Of The Year
Song Of The Year
Best New Artist
Best Pop Vocal Album
7. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
“Shake It Out”
Best Pop Vocal Album
8. P!NK
“Try”
Best Pop Vocal Album
9. MAROON 5 FEAT. WIZ KHALIFA
“Payphone”
Best Pop Vocal Album
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
10. CARLY RAE JEPSEN
“Call Me Maybe”
Song Of The Year
Best Pop Solo Performance
11. MIGUEL
“Adorn”
Song Of The Year
12. ED SHEERAN
“The A Team”
Song Of The Year
13. HUNTER HAYES
“Wanted”
Best New Artist
14. THE LUMINEERS
“Ho Hey”
Best New Artist
15. ALABAMA SHAKES
“Hold On”
Best New Artist
Best Rock Performance
16. MUMFORD & SONS
“I Will Wait”
Album Of The Year
Best Rock Performance
Best Rock Song
17. FRANK OCEAN
“Pyramids”
Album Of The Year
Best New Artist
18. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
“We Take Care Of Our Own”
Best Rock Performance
Best Rock Song
Best Rock Album
19. JACK WHITE
“Freedom At 21”
Album Of The Year
Best Rock Song
Best Rock Album
“Madness”
Best Rock Song
Best Rock Album
21. COLDPLAY
“Charlie Brown”
Best Rock Performance
Best Rock Album
22. ADELE
“Set Fire To The Rain”
(Live At The Royal Albert Hall)
Best Pop Solo Performance
About The Recording Academy
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit GRAMMY.com . For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like “The GRAMMYs” on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs’ social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.